Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 66%
Simulated
The nurse is caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury (SCI) who is about to be transferred to a wheelchair for Physical Therapy. The patient complains of feeling dizzy and is diaphoretic. What would be the priority nursing action?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
Lowering the head of the bed and obtaining vital signs can help stabilize blood pressure and monitor for orthostatic hypotension, which is common in patients with SCI due to autonomic dysfunction.